THINK before YOU DRINK and DRIVE

Drinking & Driving Facts Problems and Solutions Penalties MADD Statistics Pictures & Stories Real Stories Avoid Drinking and Driving Alternatives -hand over the keys to a designated driver -call a taxicab -don't play games with your life and/or anyone else's life Facts/Statistics -On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes. In 2007, an estimated 12,998 people died in drunk driving related crashes—a decline of 3.7 percent from the 13,491 drunk driving related fatalities of 2006. -About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. -Over 1.46 million drivers were arrested in 2006 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of 1 for every 139 licensed drivers in the United States. -A first time drunk driving offender on average has driven drunk 87 times prior to being arrested. -Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants may suffer from mental retardation and other irreversible physical abnormalities. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other children of becoming alcoholics.	This website has been designed to inform people about the many effects of drinking and driving. Many accidents have happened due to drunk drivers, and if possible, with this website, we can decrease those accidents. As you go on to explore and browse this website, you will read the facts of drinking and driving. Also, a poem has been added, titled "Death of an Innocent," which is a poem about an innocent girl who died because of a drunk driver. Lastly, I'd like people to observe and clearly understand every picture that has been posted. These pictures say a lot and I want people to take in the message that these pictures are sending out. Beware of the consequences of your actions... Just take the time to think...
Death of an Innocent I went to a party, Mom, I remembered what you said. You told me not to drink, So I drank soda instead. I really felt proud inside, Mom, The way you said I would. I didn't drink and drive, Mom, Even though the others said I should. I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you are always right. Now the party is finally ending, Mom, As everyone is driving out of sight. As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece. Because of the way you raised me, So responsible and sweet. I started to drive away, Mom, But as I pulled out into the road, The other car didn't see me, Mom, And hit me like a load. As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say, "The other guy is drunk," Mom, And now I'm the one who will pay. I'm lying here dying, Mom... I wish you'd get here soon. How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon. There is blood all around me, Mom, And most of it is mine. I hear the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time. I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink. It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think. He was probably at the same party as I. The only difference is, he drank And I will die. Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life. I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife. The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, And I don't think it's fair. I'm lying here dying And all he can do is stare. Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave. And when I go to heaven, Mom, Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave. Someone should have told him, Mom, Not to drink and drive. If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive. My breath is getting shorter, Mom. I'm becoming very scared. Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there. I have one last question, Mom. Before I say good bye. I didn't drink and drive, So why am I the one to die? Unknown Author -think of all the people that you will be hurting or will be hurting when you decide to get behind the wheel while you are intoxicated -don't drink and drive, and you'll be alright

Drinking & Driving

Facts

Problems and Solutions

Avoid Drinking and Driving

Alternatives

-hand over the keys to a designated driver

-call a taxicab

-don't play games with your life and/or anyone else's life

Facts/Statistics

-On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes. In 2007, an estimated 12,998 people died in drunk driving related crashes—a decline of 3.7 percent from the 13,491 drunk driving related fatalities of 2006.

-About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.

-Over 1.46 million drivers were arrested in 2006 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of 1 for every 139 licensed drivers in the United States.

-A first time drunk driving offender on average has driven drunk 87 times prior to being arrested.

-Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants may suffer from mental retardation and other irreversible physical abnormalities. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other children of becoming alcoholics.

This website has been designed to inform people about the many effects of drinking and driving. Many accidents have happened due to drunk drivers, and if possible, with this website, we can decrease those accidents. As you go on to explore and browse this website, you will read the facts of drinking and driving. Also, a poem has been added, titled "Death of an Innocent," which is a poem about an innocent girl who died because of a drunk driver. Lastly, I'd like people to observe and clearly understand every picture that has been posted. These pictures say a lot and I want people to take in the message that these pictures are sending out.

Beware of the consequences of your actions...

Just take the time to think...

Death of an Innocent

I went to a party, Mom,
I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink,
So I drank soda instead.

I really felt proud inside, Mom,
The way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom,
Even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom,
I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom,
As everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom,
I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me,
So responsible and sweet.

I started to drive away, Mom,
But as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn't see me, Mom,
And hit me like a load.

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,
I hear the policeman say,
"The other guy is drunk," Mom,
And now I'm the one who will pay.

I'm lying here dying, Mom...
I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon.

There is blood all around me, Mom,
And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom,
I'll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom,
I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn't think.

He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank
And I will die.

Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,
And I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying
And all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,
Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.

Someone should have told him, Mom,
Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,
I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you,
you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive,
So why am I the one to die?

Unknown Author

-think of all the people that you will be hurting or will be hurting when you decide to get behind the wheel while you are intoxicated

-don't drink and drive, and you'll be alright

Disclaimer: Mara Christia Valdez takes full responsibility for the information posted on this website. The information on this page represents that of Mara Christia Valdez and not that of California State University, Sacramento.